2-samuel 23:6
Translations
King James Version (KJV)
But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
American King James Version (AKJV)
But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
American Standard Version (ASV)
But the ungodly shall be all of them as thorns to be thrust away, Because they cannot be taken with the hand;
Basic English Translation (BBE)
But the evil-doers, all of them, will be like thorns to be pushed away, because they may not be gripped in the hand:
Webster's Revision
But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns thrust away, because they cannot be taken with hands:
World English Bible
But all of the ungodly shall be as thorns to be thrust away, because they can't be taken with the hand,
English Revised Version (ERV)
But the ungodly shall be all of them as thorns to be thrust away, for they cannot be taken with the hand:
Clarke's 2-samuel 23:6 Bible Commentary
But the sons of Belial shall be all of them as thorns - There is no word in the text for sons; it is simply Belial, the good-for-nothing man, and may here refer - first to Saul, and secondly to the enemies of our Lord.
As thorns thrust away - A metaphor taken from hedging; the workman thrusts the thorns aside either with his bill or hand, protected by his impenetrable mitten or glove, till, getting a fair blow at the roots, he cuts them all down. The man is fenced with iron, and the handle of his bill is like the staff of a spear. This is a good representation of the dubbing-bill, with which they slash the thorn hedge on each side before they level the tops by the pruning-shears. The handle is five or six feet long. This is a perfectly natural and intelligible image.
Wesley's 2-samuel 23:6 Bible Commentary
23:6 But - Having in the foregoing verse s described the nature, and stability of that kingdom which God had by a sure covenant settled upon him and his seed; and especially, upon the Messiah, who was to be one of his posterity; he now describes the nature and miserable condition, of all the enemies of this holy and blessed kingdom. As thorns - Which men do not use to handle, but thrust them away. And so will God thrust away from himself, and from his people, and kingdom, all those who shall either secretly or openly set themselves against it.
